Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest easy

Mark Mottola

June 11, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Stafford.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 11, 2020

Know that on this 29th year of your untimely departure your sacrifice is not and will never be forgotten. Rest in peace.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo (Retired)
Delaware State Police

June 11, 2020

Officer Stafford was shot with his own gun after it was taken from him during a fight with the suspect. This post is incorrect and should be corrected.
The true facts should serve to protect officers as unarmed suspects can kill officers during any encounter!

Deputy Chris Percival Retired
Charles Stafford’s FTO

December 29, 2017

Today, I visited your grave, Officer Stafford. Rest in peace. Your bravery won't be forgotten.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 25, 2016

I knew Officer Charles Brian Stafford very well because my dad Charles Melson Cummings, Sr. were friends and the night on Tuesday, June 11, 1991 when Officer Stafford was killed my mom was watching the news when they said that Officer Stafford was killed and she woke my dad up at the time he was going through bone cancer and his wife Cecilia Stafford called my mom and she crying a lot through the phone and I felt for bad Mrs. Stafford, Natalie and Katie

Ali Cummings
Friend

October 15, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 15, 2015

Many years ago I worked with Sgt. Stafford at South Florida Reception Center. He was extremely professional and was a supervisor you could always count on. Officer Stafford may you rest in peace.
Michael Fullana

Michael Fullana (Ex Corrections Officer)
Miami Dade County

December 10, 2013

We will never forget the heroes who gave their all for us, and you sir are a hero. May you continue to rest in peace Officer Stafford.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

June 11, 2013

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 21rst anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace

I pray for the solace of all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your family and friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

June 11, 2012

We will never forget... HEROES do live forever, and you sir are a hero. May you continue to rest in peace Officer Stafford.

Deb Azure
Mother of Deputy Renee Danell Azure
EOW 08/06/02
Union County SO, Lake Butler, FL

June 11, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Stafford. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 14, 2012

I never knew Ofc. Stafford. I began working in Miami Springs about seven years after he was murdered. I have only heard what a good person he was. The stories I have heard of that horrible night will always be remembered. The police department is just an extension of our family. I can only imagine the pain felt on that horrible day. I just want his family to know that the sacrife he made will not be forgottont and his memory will live on. I pray that justice will eventually prevail.

Ofc J. Simon
Miami Springs Police Department

June 1, 2011

Officer Stafford, God Bless you and your family. You are not forgotten.

SSA Ellen Pierson
US ICE/PUT

June 29, 2010

I worked with Charles at both Baker Correctional Institution & South Fla.Reception Center.He was a VERY GOOD Correctional Officer & friend.We also shared living space at SFRC in the BOQ when we first arrived at SFRC from North Florida so we became good friends on & off the job.I have several photos of Charles and his wife & will never forget him.May he rest in peace & may his children know he was loved by many & taken from us all much to soon!

SGT.CLAYTON E.YARBROUGH JR.
FLA. DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS

March 1, 2010

YOUR SACRIFICE HAS NOT BEEN FORGOTTEN. R.I.P. BROTHER, WE HAVE THE WATCH.

SGT. J.L. SLAUGHTER
RADFORD CITY DEPARTMENT OF POLICE

June 11, 2009

I always wondered who the person the park was named after in Miami Springs was. I always take my children there, and now I know it was one of our own that was struck down. Our prayers our with him and his loved ones. I hope he is watching over us and keeping us safe when we go play there and as our lives carry in Miami Springs. God Bless you.

Anonymous

May 3, 2009

I knew Bubba through my dad Officer Danny Kelly, a fellow Miami Springs officer and I would like to show my praise, recognition, and thankfullness to Bubba's courage. A young man taken way too soon, I was very young, but I remember him. I just would like to show my respect for him and his wondeful family. God bless.

Meghan Kelly
friend

March 27, 2009

I never had the privilege of meeting you, Charles. But I see your reflection in your family in so many ways. You would be so proud of all of them, but especially your beautiful daughters. We just attended the memorial service in Lake City last night, and it was very touching. Your parents laid a rose at the memorial on the lake, and many people came to show respect for all the officers who have died in the line of duty. Well done, good and faithful servant.

Pat Stafford

May 23, 2008

Thankyou for your service and sacrifice, you are a true hero to us all

POLICE OFFICER
PHILA PA

February 9, 2008

The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

October 3, 2007

I worked with Officer Stafford's wife at the time of his death. I will always remember her and her two baby girls. I know he is watching over them. Rest in Peace Officer Stafford.

Sheila Wilcox-Griffin
US Probation

August 15, 2007

Charles,

Thank you for the times we shared growing up.
Every time I make a traffic stop I remmember the
situation you were in the night you were killed.

I cannot tell you how many times my life has been saved
because of you watching over me while on patrol, most of the times with no backup available.

We all miss you. Thank you for watching over me during my patrols.

Your cousin and friend,
Gary


Your cousin,
Gary

Wildlife Officer Gary Harris
Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission

February 1, 2007

I've only heard my father who is a 21 year veteren of M.S.P.D. talk about how good of a man "Bubba" when I would ask about the man who is now named after a park which my 2 year old son plays in. And how to this day he still can't talk about the night he was taken without choking up. "Bubba was an incredible man and an even better cop.". I've had the honor,though very brief, of meeting those loved ones he left behind and is now watching over from above and can see why he was the man my father says he was. God Bless you Bubba and the Stafford family and Merry X-mas.

The Buckners and Casiano Family

Rest Easy Brother We Still Have The Watch......

Officer Christopher Casiano
Miami-Dade Police Dept.

December 19, 2006

A year out of high school in 1991 I still had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I remember walking into my grand mothers house and she was crying. When I asked her why she said that her nephew, my cousin, Charles Stafford, had been killed in the line of duty. At that moment I knew what I wanted to do. So, for the last 11 years I've dedicated everyday to the memory of Charles.

Officer Griffin Crosby
Lake Wales Police Department

December 13, 2005